Comfort Bird
The classic first project. Whole thing fits a single 1x1x4in block, knife only.
Similar: Little Man with Just a Knife, Minimalist Whale, Simple Bird (Carving is Fun)
LINKER
Simple 1x1 Bird (alt. version)
A second take on the classic first-bird project, same block size and cut set as the Comfort Bird.
Carved this one, not a great video: it has cuts/edits so steps get skipped, and the camera is out of focus a lot, making it hard to see exactly what to do.
Similar: Comfort Bird, Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico), Little Man with Just a Knife
The Maker Experience
Mushroom
Cap + stem shape teaches the undercut-beneath-the-cap move. Short piece needed, can cut a 4in block in half.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Aaron2Point0
Minimalist Whale
A stripped-down whale shape with almost no detail work, good for practicing rounding on a small blank.
Carved this one, a good tutorial: shows every step one by one, no jump cuts, continuous video, and the carver restarts the drawing/marking step on camera so you actually see how to lay it out.
Similar: Comfort Bird, Little Man with Just a Knife, Simple Bird (Carving is Fun)
LINKER
Whale (beginner tutorial, more rounded)
A bit more shaping/detail than the minimalist version above.
Similar: Easy Lighthouse Whittle, Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton), Greenman Woodcarving (Alec LaCasse)
The Maker Experience
Simple Fish (15 min)
Fast project, good for practicing repeatable clean cuts once the bird feels easy.
Similar: Comfort Bird, Cute Little Goldfish, Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico)
dywoodcarving
Gnome
First project with a face, more detail work than bird/whale/fish. Good next step once those feel comfortable.
Similar: Simple Gnome (Carving is Fun), 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
BeaverCraft / Carving Junkies
Sea Turtle
Simple rounded shell + flippers. Size is estimated from the block-series style, not confirmed exact, check the video's intro.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
The Maker Experience
Minimalist 1x1 Owl
Blocky/minimalist style, no fine feather detail, good middle-difficulty project after the birds and whales.
Similar: Simple Owl (Carving is Fun, on stump), 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
LINKER
Simple 1x1 Bear
Confirmed 1x1x3in in the tutorial title. Rounder body than the bird/whale, good next shape to practice.
Similar: Cute Bear (Alec LaCasse), Little Bear (2 Ways), Simple Bear (Carving is Fun)
The Maker Experience
↗ view tutorial
Letter Opener
Classic Lubkemann first project, but needs a longer flat piece rather than your 1x1x4in blocks, and thinning a blade edge safely is a step up from the block projects above. Save for after a few of the others.
Similar: Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton)
Chris Lubkemann (Woodcarving Illustrated)
Simple 2-inch Man
A blocky little figure, good practice for limbs/proportions before faces.
Similar: Little 4in Man, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
LINKER
Simple Fox
Sitting fox with a tail wrap and pointed ears/snout, a step up from a plain body-rounding project.
Carved this one, great tutorial: shows the drawing/layout at the start, great explanations throughout, no cuts in the video (continuous, nothing skipped).
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome
Carving is Fun
Carved Spoon
Needs a hook knife for the bowl, not just a straight knife, a new tool to pick up before trying this one.
Similar: Super Easy Wooden Spoon (feather)
Carving is Fun
Simple Bear (Carving is Fun)
Different take on the bear than the 1x1x3in version above, shorter block, same basic shaping moves.
Similar: Cute Bear (Alec LaCasse), Little Bear (2 Ways), Simple 1x1 Bear
Carving is Fun
Simple Dog
Same family as the bear/fox/cat from this channel, good for practicing consistent proportions across animals.
Similar: Cute Bear (Alec LaCasse), Little Bear (2 Ways), Simple 1x1 Bear
Carving is Fun
Simple Gnome (Carving is Fun)
Alternative gnome tutorial to the BeaverCraft one above, with its own downloadable template.
Similar: Gnome, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
Carving is Fun
Chess Set: Knight
Part of a full chess set series, most detailed piece to carve of the set, save for after pawns.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Simple Cat
Same block size and animal-shaping approach as the dog/bear from this channel.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Cute Bunny
Has its own downloadable template. Slightly bigger block than the other 'Simple Bunny' from the same channel.
Similar: Simple Bunny (Carving is Fun), 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
Carving is Fun
Simple Bird (Carving is Fun)
Smaller and simpler than the Comfort Bird, good quick repeat of the bird shape.
Similar: Comfort Bird, Little Man with Just a Knife, Minimalist Whale
Carving is Fun
Simple Owl (Carving is Fun, on stump)
Owl perched on a little stump base, with a rounded facial disc as the main detail.
Carved this one, a very good tutorial.
Similar: Minimalist 1x1 Owl, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
Carving is Fun
Chess Set: Pawn
Simplest piece in the chess set series, good starting point before the knight/bishop/rook.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Simple Bunny (Carving is Fun)
Smaller/simpler than the 'Cute Bunny' from the same channel, no downloadable template for this one.
Similar: Cute Bunny, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
Carving is Fun
Chess Board
Not a whittling-knife project, flat board work with a v-gouge and paint to finish the chess set series.
Carving is Fun
Chess Set: King and Queen
Tallest, most detailed pieces in the chess set, save for last in that series.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Simple Christmas Tree
Slightly thicker block (1.5in) than the usual 1x1 series, worth grabbing different stock for this one.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Simple Ghost
Quick seasonal (Halloween) project, same small block size as the other simple figures.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome
Carving is Fun
Eevee
Pokemon character piece, more involved than the simple animals, good stretch project once those feel easy.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Chess Set: Rook
Simple castle-tower shape, one of the easier chess pieces after the pawn.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Chess Set: Bishop
Taller and more tapered than the pawn/rook, practice for cleaner long push cuts.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Carving is Fun
Super Easy Wooden Spoon (feather)
Same hook-knife requirement as the other spoon above, plus a decorative feather handle.
Similar: Carved Spoon
Carving is Fun
Simple Penguin
Good next bird shape after the owl/whale, mostly rounding with simple wing lines.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Flatplane Bird
Fast, very simple flat-faceted style rather than fully rounded, good for practicing clean flat cuts.
Similar: Classic Old School Whittling, Easter Island Heads, Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico)
LINKER
Little Bear (2 Ways)
Covers a sitting and a standing pose in one tutorial, different variant from the other bear entries already in the library.
Similar: Cute Bear (Alec LaCasse), Simple 1x1 Bear, Simple Bear (Carving is Fun)
LINKER
Little Bandit Raccoon
Bandit face mask and striped tail add a bit of detail work beyond the plain animal shapes.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Simple Beaver
Flat paddle tail is the one tricky bit, otherwise same rounding/shaping as the other animal blocks.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Whittle a Forest (Trees)
Quick, no-face-carving project, mostly stacked chip cuts for foliage texture. Good change of pace / warm-up carve.
Similar: Easy Beginner Cactus, 10-Minute Woodspirit, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft)
LINKER
Old Salty Fisherman
Full bearded face + rain hat/coat, a step up in detail from the plain gnome/man figures, save for after those.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome
LINKER
Farmer Chicken in Overalls
Overalls/strap detail on an animal figure is a nice mashup step between plain animals and full figures.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Gnome (1x1 series)
Different gnome variant from the BeaverCraft and Carving is Fun gnomes already in the library, same channel style as the other 1x1-series entries.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Easter Island Heads
Blocky flat-plane face, no rounding needed, a good simple intro to carving a face.
Similar: Classic Old School Whittling, Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico), Flatplane Bird
LINKER
Friendly Ghost (1x1 series)
Different tutorial/style from the Carving is Fun ghost already in the library, flowing robe folds instead of a plain rounded shape.
Similar: Whittled Wizard, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
LINKER
Little Santa Face
Face-only ornament rather than a full figure, good beginner intro to beard/wrinkle detail work.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Tiny Scarecrow
Patched clothing and floppy hat add detail practice on top of the basic standing-figure shape.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Slender Snowman
Tall thin snowman rather than stacked balls, plays nicer with the 1x1x4in block proportions.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Little Pumpkin Head Man
Carved jack-o-lantern face on a standing figure, fun fall project once the plain figures feel easy.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Little Leprechaun
Longest and most detailed of this batch, hat buckle and beard work, save for after the other figures.
Similar: Beginner Santa, Whittled Wizard, Whittling a Santa from Basswood
LINKER
Grinch
Exaggerated grin/eyebrows for character expression, more expressive face work than the plain figures.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Whittled Wizard
Robed wizard figure with a pointed hat and beard, more character work than the plain 1x1x4in figures.
Similar: Beginner Santa, Friendly Ghost (1x1 series), Little Leprechaun
Alec LaCasse
Roman Soldier
A standing Roman soldier carved from a single 1x1x4in basswood stick, armor lines instead of plain clothing.
Similar: Little Lumberjack, Farmer Chicken in Overalls, Little 4in Man
The Somerset Whittler
Little Lumberjack
Flannel-and-suspenders figure, a step up in clothing detail from the plain 1x1x4in figures.
Similar: Little 4in Man, Roman Soldier, 10-Minute Woodspirit
LINKER
Little Man with Just a Knife
Bare-bones figure carve using only a straight knife, a good next step after Comfort Bird.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Comfort Bird, Fun Little Kitten
LINKER
Little 4in Man
Plain standing figure sized to a single 4in stick, start-to-finish knife-only tutorial.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome
LINKER
Happy Little Mushroom Man
Mushroom-capped little-man figure, combines the undercut move from the plain Mushroom project with face and limb shaping.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome
LINKER
Whittling a Santa from Basswood
Santa figure with beard and hat detail on a single basswood stick, a seasonal alternative to the plain 1x1x4in figures.
Similar: Beginner Santa, Little Leprechaun, Whittled Wizard
The Whittler UK
Classic Old School Whittling
Scandinavian flat-plane style figure, deliberate flat facets left unrounded rather than smoothed.
Similar: Little Flat Plane Fella, 10-Minute Woodspirit, 5-Minute Wizard
LINKER
Little Flat Plane Fella
Another flat-plane style figure on a single 1x1x4in stick, same faceted look as Classic Old School Whittling from a different carver.
Similar: Classic Old School Whittling, 10-Minute Woodspirit, 5-Minute Wizard
David Pico
Whittled Deer
Sawn to rough shape from a pattern before knife detail work on antlers, ears, and legs. Exact block size given in the video description.
Similar: Easy Lighthouse Whittle, Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton), Greenman Woodcarving (Alec LaCasse)
Werewolf Whittler
Fun Little Kitten
Beginner cat figure; video links out to separate nose/mouth technique tutorials from the same channel for face detail.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Hillbilly Gnome, Little 4in Man
Whittling Woods
Beginner Woodspirit
Face-in-wood woodspirit carved from walnut in the source video, described by the channel as beginner-friendly and pocket-knife-only.
Similar: 10-Minute Woodspirit, 5-Minute Wizard, Classic Old School Whittling
Whittling Woods
Hillbilly Gnome
Character gnome carved from a 1x3in block, a more whimsical alternative to the standard gnome shape.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Little 4in Man
Whittling Woods
5 Minute Gnome
Quick knife-only gnome, a faster alternative to the other gnome projects in the library.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5-Minute Wizard, Beginner Santa
Alec LaCasse
Beginner Santa
Full-length beginner Santa lesson, more relaxed pacing than the shorter seasonal figures elsewhere in the library.
Similar: Little Leprechaun, Whittled Wizard, Whittling a Santa from Basswood
Alec LaCasse
Cute Little Goldfish
Explicitly labeled a beginner-level project by the channel, a fin-and-scale alternative to the library's land-animal figures.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Alec LaCasse
Little Ebonized Face
Small standalone face study finished with an ebonized (blackened) surface, a quick technique-focused project.
Similar: 10-Minute Woodspirit, 5-Minute Wizard, Beginner Woodspirit
Alec LaCasse
Easy Beginner Cactus
Non-figure, non-animal beginner project, a change of pace from the usual characters and critters.
Similar: 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
Alec LaCasse
Little Wood House
Simple cottage carved from a squarer blank, flat-plane roof and wall work rather than a rounded figure.
Similar: Classic Old School Whittling, Easter Island Heads, Easy Lighthouse Whittle
Alec LaCasse
10-Minute Woodspirit
Channel's own fast beginner woodspirit approach, quicker than the other woodspirit projects in the library.
Similar: Beginner Woodspirit, 5-Minute Wizard, Classic Old School Whittling
Alec LaCasse
Easy Lighthouse Whittle
Tall, non-figure beginner project on a taller blank than most entries here.
Similar: Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton), Greenman Woodcarving (Alec LaCasse), Whale (beginner tutorial, more rounded)
Alec LaCasse
5-Minute Wizard
Stripped-down, fast take on the wizard figure, one of the channel's most-viewed videos. A quicker alternative to the library's other Whittled Wizard from the same channel.
Similar: Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome, Little 4in Man
Alec LaCasse
2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft)
Larger 2x2x4in block than the library's other gnomes, one knife only, finished with beeswax.
Similar: Gnome (1x1 series), 5 Minute Gnome, 5-Minute Wizard
BeaverCraft
Old Witch Caricature (Basswood Carving)
A Halloween witch caricature on the standard 1x1x4 block, a longer seasonal alternative to the library's quicker Halloween projects.
Similar: 5-Minute Wizard, Fun Little Kitten, Hillbilly Gnome
Basswood Carving
Flat-Plane Figurine (David Pico)
Introduces flat-plane (faceted, not rounded) carving on the standard 1x1x4 block, a distinct style from the rounded figures elsewhere in the library.
Similar: Classic Old School Whittling, Comfort Bird, Easter Island Heads
David Pico
Simple Squirrel (Carving is Fun)
Carved on a small log section rather than a squared block, so size varies with what you start from.
Similar: Simple Fox, 2x2x4in Gnome (BeaverCraft), 5 Minute Gnome
Carving is Fun
Cute Bear (Alec LaCasse)
Knife-only rounded bear shape, exact block size isn't stated in the video.
Similar: Little Bear (2 Ways), Simple 1x1 Bear, Simple Bear (Carving is Fun)
Alec LaCasse
Whittled Tulip (Johnny Layton)
A tulip on the standard 1x1x4 block, a plant subject not otherwise in the library.
Similar: Easy Lighthouse Whittle, Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton), Greenman Woodcarving (Alec LaCasse)
Johnny Layton
Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton)
A gnome ranger figure with a carved sword on the standard 1x1x4 block, first entry from a new fantasy-figure series.
Similar: Easy Lighthouse Whittle, Greenman Woodcarving (Alec LaCasse), Whale (beginner tutorial, more rounded)
Johnny Layton
Greenman Woodcarving (Alec LaCasse)
A Greenman face with cascading carved leaves on the standard 1x1x4 block, a different subject than the library's other figures from this channel.
Similar: Easy Lighthouse Whittle, Fellowship of the Gnome: Ranger (Johnny Layton), Whale (beginner tutorial, more rounded)
Alec LaCasse